Time recoeding device



Peb. 24, 1948. E v ABBOTT 2,436,539

TIME RECORDING DEVICE Filed May 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Mmmm, ;mza416 olmezmx @2254044 1mm/404 Olmes@ l O i O I G I O O I 57] l l l l. I E l I l 1 l 4 I l l i I y I l l o f-// o l o i .o i o l w74 i375 i572 .571 l |57@ l 5 A INVENTOR.

H TTORN E VS.

E. V. ABBQTT TIME RECORDING DEVICE l Filed May 22, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INI/ENTOR.

ELBERT V. HaBo-f7' 7@ MEM Patented Feb. 24, 1948 UNITED-,STATES PATENT GFFICE San Francisco, Calif., a copartnership consisting oi Thomas Harris and Elbert V.` Abbott Application May 22, 1944; Serial No. 536,730

2 Claims.

This invention relates-to time recordingv apparatus inl general,` and more specifically to means in such apparatus for detecting fraud or tampering with time identied-records.-

The provisionof apparatus for printing the year, month-and exact timeon Aa sheetdispensed from* a register or recorder is old. Such apparatusordinarily employswheels'bearingtype carryingthe desired data, and one or more ofsuch wheels may be clock driven so vas to always-present a type designating the correct timeto within a fraction of a minute to a plate-nn and the sheet for printing such time on the sheet lwhen the latter is dispensed from theapparatus. It is old to usea sheet in the `form of a roll of ticketsl or in -thevform of a strip to be torn odl or in other dispensable forms.` Where-rolls are used there may be several of such rollswith duplicating ribbons or carbon paper or both so arrangedv asto duplicate the data written on the top sheet or printed thereon by the printing apparatus, and ordinarily one of such sheets isretained Within a cabinet'that encloses the time .recording apparatus. Such cabinet isrlocked so as to prevent manipulati-cnof `the timev recording or driving mechanism. Asit is oldto electrically drive certainI parts of the recording mechanism, as through a motor similar to that usedin electricallyV driven clocks, a plug and cord is usually provided for connecting the electrical circuit within the cabinet with .the main source of supply of electricity.

Heretofore irrespective of adopting reasonable precautions against tamperingthe doors of cabinets enclosing time recordingY mechanisms have been unlocked by unauthorized use ci keys made therefor or by forged copies of the true keys.

` Tam-pering with the time recordingv mechanism has resulted whereby fraud has been perpetrated and has,V been undetected, or if detected the perpetrator has been undetected... In other instances discoveries of incorrecttime printingson sheets or tickets have been Lblamed by operators on the mechanism. and in the absence of reasonable proofof actual tampering, suchl explanation in many instances, must. be accepted although the explanation is untrue.

Other known methods ot altering records Where. an electrically driven element, such as a motor for driving the time recording type is used, hasbeen to disconnect the source of supply from the locked cabinet thatencloses the motor angl printer, and after an intervalhas elapsecb to reconnect the source.l

Oneof the objects ofY thisinvention is the provision of simple. and effective meansior detecting Whether or not the cabinet door has vbeen opened andthe approximatetimeof such opening.

Another object cf the invention is-the provision of simple and effective means for detecting whether or not the source of eleetricalpower to the time recording mechanism nas-been disconnected,l and the timey .such disconnection occurred..A

A still further object of theinvention is the provisionv oi means in an electrically actuated time recorder of thecharacter abovey mentioned for detecting whether or lnot the door to the cabinet enclosing` the recorder has been opened and whether ornot-the source of supply t0 said recorder hasbeen disconnected, and the time when either ot such'operations occurred, which detection is inv theformof dierent symbols adapted to bevautomatically printeduon therecord sheet simultaneously with printing of .the timethereon.

Other objects and advantages will vappear in the description and drawings.

The illustrations and description thereof; that follows are not intendedto be restrictive ofthe invention., but merely illustrative of a form thereof. Theinvention. is solely concerned vwith detecting such' unauthorized occurrences as the opening or the door oi the cabinet and. disconneet-ion` of the source kof electrical supply and which operations have occurred in a manner that would remainv undetected were it not for my invention.V

1n the drawings,

Fig. l is a perspective View Vof a cabinet.

Fig. 2 is a plan View ci one Aform the printed record kmay takethesame being in the formV of a sheet in a strip that is adapted to be dispensed from va roll. or from a manifolded pad or stack.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of part of a cabinet showingv in dotted line an actuator meanson the door instead yof being on the lock or part of the lock.,

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic or schematic view of an electrical circuit that may be employed and the Various elements in such circuit.

In detail, the cabinet l (Figi) is provided with an opening 2 in its upper side for withdrawalof portion 3 of` a record sheet ll from within the cabinet Any convenient support may be provided for said portion 3 for writing thereon, such support being old in registers and time recorders. Several of such sheets may be withdrawn from the cabinet with ycarbon paper or the like between them for duplicating; data written on the. top

sheet, and it is conventional to have one of such sheets automatically fed back into the cabinet without being exposed.

A cord having a connector plug 6 at one end is provided for connecting the circuit within the cabinet with a source of electrical power. A push button 1 is also provided for causing actuation of the time recording apparatus and usual drive means (not shown) for dispensing one or more of the record sheets.

Cabinet I (Fig. 1) is provided with an opening closed by a door 8 hinged thereto along one edge of the latter for swinging to a position uncovering the opening. This opening provides for authorized access to the duplicate record sheet within the cabinet as well as to the time recording mechanism and circuit so that adjustments and repairs may be effected. A lock 9 is provided for locking the door against unauthorized opening thereof, which lock may be of the type having a revolvable latch element I that effects the locking.

Before describing the electrical circuit itself, it will clarify the description to enumerate certain of the elements that may be employed in such circuit.

In Fig. 4 the time printer is indicated at the top of the view as comprising a row of wheels II that respectively carry type for printing the desired data. The actual hour and minute type,

at least, may be driven by electric motor I2, which motor may be the type used in electric clocks. In Fig. 2 at the upper edge of the strip 4, a typical imprint is indicated at I3, which imprint shows that it was made on May 22 at 4:16

p. rn. At this point it should be stated that the strip or sheet 4 may have its separate portions or sections serially numbered as at I4, which numbering is ordinarily done before thersheet or strip is put into the cabinet. The dot-dash line I5 in Fig. 4 connecting clock I2 with the time printing wheel or wheels may represent any suitable driving connection, the same being conventional.

A plurality of sheets 5 over wheels II (Fig. 4) may constitute the original and carbon copy sheets or strips, and over these and longitudinally of the row of type wheels is a platen Il that is adapted to be forced against said sheets and the type on the wheels II by means of a rocker arm I8 that may pivotally carry said platen, as indicated, or that may merely be forced at one end against said platen to cause printing of the imprint I3 (of Fig. 2) or whatever characters are represented by the type.

The rocker arm I8 is pivotally supported on pivot I9 on any suitable portion of a stationary :frame member 20 of the time recorder. The end of said arm I8 that is at the opposite side of pivot 20 from platen II is positioned over an extension 2l of core 22 of a solenoid generally designated 23. Upon energizing the coil 24 of solenoid 23 the extension 2| will strike the end vof arm I8 that is above the same thereby causing the platen to be forced toward the time printer that comprises wheels I I.

At the opposite ends of the row of wheels II, or in any other position to be operable for printing by the actuation of plate I'I, is a pair of printing type 25, 26 carried on the upper ends of extensions 2l, 28 of solenoid cores 29, 3l) of solenoids that are respectively designated 3I, 32. The type 25 may be called the door printer inasmuch as type 25 will print after an opening of the door at the same time as the time printer is actuated while type 26, which will be called the circuit printer, will print after a disconnection and reconnection of the source of electrical power to .the circuit inside cabinet I, as would happen were plug 6 to be disconnected and then reconnected. The printing by the circuit printer or door printer is also simultaneously done with a printing by the time printer. This is the reason for positioning the type 25, 26 below the platen II.

In Fig. 4 the type 25, 26 are not elevated sufflciently to result in printing by actuation of the platen II, but upon energizing the coil 33 of solenoid 3| or upon energizing the coil 34 of solenoid 32, the door printer or circuit printer will be elevated as indicated in dotted line positions 35, 36 for printing by actuation of platen Il upon energizing solenoid 23. Of course both the door printer and circuit printer may print at the same time.

In Fig. 2 the character O indicated at 3'I may represent a printing by the door printer, showing that the door has been opened, or the character X as indicated at 38 may show that the source of power has been disconnected. Y

The latch IIJ of lock 9, as will later be described more in detail, functions to set or to move the door printer into operating position, While a relay 56 energized by plug 6 being inserted in its socket for connecting the cord 5 or source of power with the circuit in cabinet i functions to position the circuit printer for printing, as will later be described.

Means for driving a conventional mechanism (not shown) for issuing each ticket upon pressing the button l, is a motor 33, said motor also driving cams 40, 4I for performing necessary functions in the carrying out of the desired results.

In the arrangement of parts as seen in Fig. 4, the plug 6 connects the two main circuit wires 45, 4E with the main source of electrical power, such as electrical conduit 5, and the circuit printer 26 has already made a printing on one of the tickets or sheets 3, and has dropped back to inoperative position in which it will remain until the source of power is again disconnected and reconnected with the circuit.

Upon inserting plug 6 in its socket so as to connect' the circuits 45, 46 with the source of power, the said circuit will be closed through wires 46 to 50 inclusive, coil 34 of solenoid 32, wire 54, normally closed switch 55 (dotted line position) of relay 56, and wires 51, 58, whereby solenoid 32 is energized and the circuit printer will be elevated for printing upon actuation of platen I'l.

. rThe extension 28 of the core of solenoid 32 may carry a switch 59, which switch will close contacts 65, 6I at the ends of wires 62, 63 when said switch is carried to dotted position 64 by reason of energizing of said solenoid.

The wire 52 connects with wire 46 through wires il to 49 inclusive, while wire 63 connects with one end of coil 24 of solenoid 23. The opposite end of said solenoid coil is connected with wire 45 completing the circuit, whereby said solenoid will be energized for causing actuation of platen I'I. The time printer and circuit printer will accordingly print the symbols I3 and 33 of Fig, 2.

Upon upward movement of the extension 2| of solenoid 23, a switch 65 breaks normally closed contacts 66 and closes contacts 67. One side of contact 6l connects through wire 68 with wire 45 that leads to plug 6, while the other side of the and wire 68.

and wire 1|, then through the coil oi relay 56 to wires 12, 49, 48, 41, thereby energizing relay 56 so as to break the circuit to solenoid 32 when the solenoid 32 is de-energized and its core will drop. Upon so energizing relay 5B, normally closed switch 55 will move to connect the relay coil in the circuit through wires |52 to hold the switch in full line position. Switch 59 of solenoid 32 at the same time will break the connection between contacts Bil, t I., thereby de-ener Agizing solenoid 23.

The de-energizing of solenoid 23 will result in its core dropping so that its lower end will strike one end 13 oi a rocker arm 13 causing the opposite end 'I5 of said arm to strike one end oi a generally centrally pivoted latch 15 for disengaging .the opposite end of said latch from holding cam l0 that is driven by motor 3&3. The swinging of latch 'i6 away from cam Il@ closes switch 'il which closing results in starting motor through wires i8, 19 that connect one of the motor terminals with wire 41 through wires 43, de, 5d. Wire 80 connects the other terminal with wire lle.

As stated, motor 39 will drive cam it one revolution and stop, and the same revolution will drive any suitable rollers (not shown) for issuing one oIn the sheets 4.

Any suitable means, such as a spring Si may restore arm 13 to a position in which the latch 1S holds the cam 4Q after one revolution thereof has been completed, and switch 11 will, oi course, be automatically opened as soon as the cam Il@ has about completed one revolution, thereby stopping motor Sil. Upon the dropping of core 22 the switch 155 will connect wires 63 and 83 extending to wires 84, 85 that respectively connect with one of the coil terminals of a pair oi relay switches Se, 81.

The motor S also revolves cam di at the same time that it revolves cam eil. Revolving of cam 11i closesswitch 38, thereby energizing relay coil El through a wire 39 that connects with the other coil terminal of said relay through wire 8i?. Thus the circuit through the relay coil is cornpleted, since one of the contacts oi switch 38 connects with wire it while the other contact or said switch closes the circuit to wire l5 through the relay coil by way of wires 89, S5, 33, switch e5, Energizing of relay 81 will hook up the coil of said relay with wires 4t, ill direct through closing switch 9B so that said relay will remain energized after switch et is broken, and

after cam il makes one revolution.

After relay 81 is energized as above described, the apparatus is now ready for operation, it being seen that clock l2 is directly in the closed circuit and will continue to operate until plug G is pulled out, or until the source of power is disconnected. It is pertinent to note at this point that the energized relay 31 has also closed switch SI, and that one contact of said switch is connected by wire e2 with one contact 93 of push button switch 1, while the other contact 94 of said switch 1 connects with a wire S5 that in turn connects with line A5 through wires e1 to 49 inclusive.

In order to issue a ticket or sheet 3, the contact button 1 is pressed, thereby closing contacts et, te. This energizes relay coil 86 through closed switch 9|, the other contact of which connects with one terminal of the relay coil 86 through wires 96, 91, while the other terminal of said coil connects with wire 8d. The energizing relay B by way of closed relay switches 8E), 9| of relay 81, upon pressing button l, causes relay B to be connected in the circuit through its own switch S3, one contact of which connects with wire 91 through wire e5, while the other contact connects with wire 8 through wire itil. Thu-s even though relay 81 is de-energized, the relay 85 will remain energized.

rihe energizing of relay 86 also closes switch thereby connecting the coil 2li of solenoid 1i in a closed circuit through wire i that leads to one end of coil 2li. 'The opposite end of said coil le connects with wire e5 through wire it. The other contact of switch mi connects with wire Belli that in turn connects with wire :i8 and with wire it through wire t1.

The time printer is actuated immediately upon energizing coil 2d of solenoid 23, thereby causing switch to open contact 5E and to close contact which breaks the circuit through relays 85, S1 that were connected with Contact 66 through wire The solenoid t is cle-energized allowing its core to drop, thereby actuating rocker arm 15;., latch it, and switch 11 which will start motor The motor 3?! causes cam li to revolve to close switch 88 thereby reenergizing relay 81 whereupon it will be held energized through its own switch 9@ as already described, and in readiness ier another operation.

At the beginning of thi-s description the operation orn setting the circuit printer 25 ior printing upon connecting wires do, d5 with a source oi power through plug f5 has been explained. Any time the circuit through wires e5, it@ is disconnected from the main source of power, a single printing by the circuit printer 26 will occur after the source of power is reconnected.

When door S of the cabinet is opened by revolving latch element i9 or" lock 9, the said latch element will engage a projection Iil on a pivotal'y supported member 35 that supports one end oi an arm le@ that in turn is pivoted at its opposite end. The pivots supporting member and arm ille may be secured to any suitable part oi the cabinet or part of frame 2li. rhe revolving ci" latch element Eli against projection hifi will swing the member it against a compression spring itil' and from under the end oi arm it, thereby permitting arm |516 to fall. Arm carries an upwardly projecting switch actuating element iet that swings to close switches ite, t it] upon the dropping of arm |66.

The closing of switch |69 results in energizing the solenoid 3| inasmuch as wire iii from one Contact of said switch connects with one end of the coil 33 of said solenoid while the other contact connects with wire 58 through a wire i2 and which wire 58 in turn connects with wire d5. The other end oi coil 33 connects with wire llt as already described through wires 13, 9, 4S, e1.

The energizing of solenoid 3| through closing of switch |99 raises the door printer to position 35 preparatory to printing the symbol 31 upon actuation of the solenoid 23. This elevation or" said solenoid core 25) of solenoid 3| also closes switch H6 that is actuated by the raising of exten-sion 21 of said core 29 thereby actuating solenoid 23 to cause a, printing by the door and time printer.

Simultaneously with extension 2| of solenoid 23 actuating rocker arm I8, the switch 65 will be actuated to break the switch connection at 65 and to make a connection between wire 68 and wire 69 at 61. Inasmuch as wire 69 connects with the switch ll. and inasmuch as the latter was closed at the same time as switch |99, an electrical circuit is established through the coil ||8 of a solenoid H9. One end of said coil connects with wire 46 by way of wire |20 while the other end of said coil connects with one of the contacts of switch lm by way of wire |2l'. The energizing of solenoid H9 causes its core |22 to raise, thereby lifting the arm Illia` to a position where it will be supported by member |85 for another o-peration, which will be caused when door latch il) is swung back to lock the door 8 as well as when said latch is moved to unlock said door.

The switches |09, lll will break the circuit through solenoids 23, 3|, H9, thereby allowing core 22 of solenoid 23 to fall for actuating the motor 39 for actuating the ticket dispensing mechanism (not shown). The recording device is again ready for a normal operation after the above operations have occurred.

Instead of a latch ||l that is turned by actuation of lock 9, I may provide a latch element |261, (Fig. 3) secured to door |25 for swinging with the door and for actuating. The claims are intended to cover either method or any method' or manner whereby an unauthorized unlocking or opening of the cabinet door will actuate means for recording the fact of such opening.

From the description it will be seen that the door printer will print simultaneously with the time printer upon opening and closing the cabinet door, thereby giving ,the exact time of the opening and of the closing.

Inasmuch as the clock mechanism l2 sto-ps upon disconnecting the source of power, it is obvious that the time printing effected automatically upon reconnecting the source will be the time at which the source was disconnected, and as the circuit printer will print its record simultaneously with the time printer, it will be obvious that the record will show the fact of the disconnection as well as the time thereof. The length of time that the source of power was disconnected is readily seen from comparing the actual time with the time printed by the time printer.

It is to be understood that diierent circuits and mechanisms may be employed for accomplishing the results herein set forth. The claims are intended to cover such changes as may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, while printing the records on a sheet or strip of paper is preferable, it is obvious that a punch, r the like, may be used for perforating the sheet and thus making the desired record. Also any symbols desired may be employed ior making the desired record. Other modifications coming with- -in the scope of the invention may suggest themselves to anyone skilled in the art.

Having described the invention, I claim:

1. In combination with an electrical circuit having a time indicator therein arranged and adapted to be electrically actuated for recording the time ci such actuation on a record sheet, and a source of electricity for said circuit connected therewith, a circuit indicator in said circuit separate from said time indicator actuatable for making a symbol on said sheet, means actuated by connecting said circuit with said source after a disconnection therebetween for simultaneously actuating said time indicator and said circuit indicator for recording the time and said symbol, means in said circuit operative for automatically rendering said circuit indicator inoperative upon a single actuation of said circuit indicator iollowing the operation of connecting said circuit with said source and as long as said source is so connected, and means actuatable by disconnecting said source from said circuit for rendering said circuit indicator operative for actuation thereof upon such reconnection.

2. In time recording apparatus that includes a time printer for printing the time on a record sheet, a cabinet enclosing said time printer and having an opening therein for providing access to the interior of said cabinet, a door for closing said opening, locking means movable to and from a position securing said door closed, said time printer being always positioned for printing the time on such sheet upon actuation thereof, means for so actuating said time printer, a door printer within said cabinet in a normally inoperative `position and movable to and from an operative position for actuation by said last mentioned means for printing a symbol on such sheet si-l multaneously with printing of said time, means actuated by movement of said locking means to a position unlocking said door for so moving said door printer to its said position for printing said symbo-l, and means actuated by such simultaneous printing by said time printer and said door printer for causing movement of said door printer from said operative position to said inoperative position, said means for actuating said time printer including a platen movable toward and from said time printer, said door printer including a printing type movable to and from a position for 'f printing by actuation of said platen toward said time printer, and a solenoid in an electrical circuit for so moving said platen.

ELBERT V. ABBOTT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date ,l

262,660 Gilliland Aug. 15, 1882 1,315,201 Bauer Sept. 9, 1919 2,129,762 Harrison Sept. 13, 1938 2,195,868 Naylor Apr. 2, 1940 

